I need to buy & Restore my premises CatsEyeCarving

Aim

To raise extra funds to be able to buy the building that I rent. I want to live in the flat upstairs and continue to be an asset to Sandwich

I am a local girl, I grew up on a farm 4 miles from Sandwich, I used to cycle to school at Sir Roger Manwoods in Sandwich, I did 3D art for my GCSE and A-levels, then onto a degree in sculpture at Christ Church College in Canterbury, I was the first graduate of the Single Honours sculpture degree. I did work experience at Canterbury Cathedral, unfortunately, their apprenticeship had already been allocated and they urged me to apply for one of two at Gloucester Cathedral.

I did a 3 year apprenticeship at Gloucester Cathedral and then spent a further 3 years working as a stonemason around the Gloucestershire. 

I set up on my own in November 2005, and I ran my business out of one Craft Centre in the Forest of Dean for 5 years, where I organised 2 stonemason festivals to raise money for charity. I then moved twice more to other craft centres, and I organised 3 more stonemasons festivals, again raising money for charitable foundations. I had many commissions, but my crowning achievement was a brand new War Memorial for a small village in the Forest of Dean.

I also swim to raise money for Charity, most recently for Aspire, but also DiabetesUK and Neuroendocrine Cancer.

In 2022, I started taking part in events in Sandwich as I wanted to move back, my Dad was ill and I wanted to help out, sadly my Dad died of Cancer that July. 

This made me more determined to move back and I was chosen by Penny, the owner of the building, to take the shop as my new business premises.

After my first year, my business was blossoming and growing, I asked her if she ever wanted to sell, could I have first refusal

It is the perfect spot for me, the ceiling is tall enough for me to have my crane in the shop. There is plenty of room and as it's run down, it works as my workshop and shop. I knew the building needed a lot of work, but that doesn't worry me. I want to help train the next generation of stonemasons and this is the perfect location. My neighbours are incredibly supportive and like having me there. The other businesses also value me as a another of the Sandwich independent businesses.

I am an asset to Sandwich and although I have only been back in Sandwich for two years, I have been welcomed with open arms into the community. People come in for a chat, to see what I am working on and buy or commission something from me. I am happy to share my knowledge.

I work with the Sandwich Medieval Centre & the White Mill Rural heritage Centre, running activities for the community at various events throughout the year. I am the stonemason in residence for the newly re-furbished Maison Dieu in Dover. They commissioned two pieces from me in 2023 for their handling object display.

This is me working on my grotesque, I spent three weeks at the Sandwich Medieval centre in 2023, demonstrating my carving skill with the Grotesque commission for the Maison Dieu, all the while being a spokesperson for the building that was undergoing restoration work.

This is me working on a piece for a presentation at their opening day in May 2025.

I was recovering from a broken ankle, so couldn't stand and work.

I carved a pair of bookends in the form of a medieval boat and then made a mould of the carving, I sell the casts and £30 from each sale goes back to the Medieval Centre to help with their work, they are reconstructing a replica medieval boat at their living history centre.

I was commissioned to carve a Compass Rose by Dover District Council, which is set into the tow path on the Quay in Sandwich. This commission helps to raise the interest and knowledge of the historic Cinque Ports.

I carved and completed this commission on time, with a broken ankle.

I run the Facebook page, "Shopping in Sandwich" championing the bricks and mortar services and shops in Sandwich.

I carved the Manwoods crest as a raffle prize to help Sir Roger Manwood's Old Manwoodian society fundraise for a new sports pavillion.

I take commissions for all manner of carvings, repairs, conservation and restoration. House signs have been at the core of my business for the last 20 years.

I am a tourist information point for visitors and locals alike.

I have a wonderful collection of leaflets and local causes are welcome to put their leaflets and posters up in my shop.

I took part in a community activity day in September, raising awareness and funds for the Sunken Garden Society restoration project in Margate. I didn't get paid for this, I had almost 30 people having a go at stone carving and I made just £100, not really enough, but these events are important for raising awareness in youngsters and adults of my historic craft.

I recently took part in the Trans Manche Geo Park festival at Dover Castle, running my very popular activities. I got paid for this and I had roughly 60 people of all ages having a go at stone carving, all day .

I am a business, but sometimes what I get paid doesn't always cover my costs of running activities, I shoulder those losses so that people can be exposed to this historic and important craft.

I am a Yeoman Mason of the historic livery company of stonemasons. Charitable works and training are at the core of livery companies, the work I do is the reason I was honoured with this title.

Before my landlady died, she asked if I was still interested in buying the premises, obviously I said yes.

I have been saving and I am almost there, but the premises have been valued above what I currently have, this us where you can help me.

I would like to buy and restore this fantastic building.

I already have terrible leaks in my workshop roof and have moved my precious current commissions forward into the shop area. there is no insulation or heating in my business premises and the flat needs alot of work too. There's lots to do, but I'm confident that I can accomplish everything.

I want to buy the premises , so that I can continue to grow my business, help to bring on the next generation of stonemasons and to continue to give back to the community.

I would like to restore the building in the correct manner, it's over 130 years old, so must be done sympathetically to it's age..

I need to be in Sandwich, I need people to be able to come in, see what I do, place commissions, buy from my wide selection of my own creations and generally learn about this historic and endangered craft. 

I currently have a years worth of work, so I am running a thriving business, one that I have poured my heart and soul into.

I do give back, I had 14 local scouts in September, I could only charge £5 each, I only earnt £70 for roughly an afternoons work, including the stone and other materials.

This is who I am and what I do, I am not just a business, but I can't get funding, because I am a business.

Please help me to continue to run my business in the heart of Sandwich and give back to the community.

This project successfully funded on 2nd April 2026